Blueberry plant named ‘Ridley 1602’

ABSTRACT

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Ridley 1602’ is provided. The variety a selection resulting from seedlings from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘Ridley 1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432) with pollen parent ‘Ridley 4609’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 59,468). The variety can be distinguished by its outstanding features of strong plant growth vigor, upright to semi-upright plant growth habit, low chilling requirement, very early to early time of flowering and fruit ripening, large to very large, sweet, firm, crisp fruit suited to handling, desirable tasting berries and small picking scar.

Latin name of the genus and species:

Genus—Vaccinium.

Species—corymbosum.

Variety denomination: The new blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘RIDLEY 1602’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Vaccinium hybrid (Southern Highbush Blueberry), which has been given the variety denomination of ‘Ridley 1602’. Its market class is that of a fruiting plant. ‘Ridley 1602’ is intended for use as fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home garden plant.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting from seedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale, NSW, Australia in 2011 from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘Ridley 1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432) with pollen parent ‘Ridley 4609’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,469). The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single plant within a population of 100 resulting Vaccinium hybrid plants from this controlled pollination in 2014 in a commercial field plantation environment at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia. Selection criteria were a combination of strong plant growth vigor, upright to semi-upright plant growth habit, low chilling requirement, very early to early time of flowering and fruit ripening, large to very large, sweet, firm, crisp fruit suited to handling, desirable tasting berries and small picking scar.

The selection was subsequently evaluated for a number of years at the commercial farms at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia and Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since 2014 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the seed parent ‘Ridley 1403’ primarily in more spreading plant growth habit needing more pruning and shaping, smaller sized and more highly flavored fruit whereas the seed parent has a more upright plant growth habit, larger fruit. Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the pollen parent ‘Ridley 4609’ primarily in much earlier flowering and ripening timing and also sweeter fruit whereas the pollen parent has late flowering and ripening timing and less sweet fruit.

The new blueberry variety was designated M14-16-02, and has been planted in replicated trials since 2014.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting from seedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale, NSW, Australia in 2011 from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘Ridley 1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432) with pollen parent ‘Ridley 4609’. The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single plant within a population of 100 resulting Vaccinium hybrid plants from this controlled pollination in 2014 in a commercial field plantation environment at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia. Selection criteria was a combination of strong plant growth vigor, upright to semi-upright plant growth habit, low chilling requirement, very early to early time of flowering and fruit ripening, large to very large, sweet, firm, crisp fruit suited to handling, desirable tasting berries and small picking scar.

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish M14-16-02 (‘Ridley 1602’) as a new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium hybrid plant:

-   -   1. Upright to semi-upright bushy plant growth habit     -   2. Strong to very strong plant growth vigor     -   3. Large leaf size     -   4. Very early to early timing of flowering beginning     -   5. Very early to early timing of fruit ripening     -   6. Very firm and crisp berry     -   7. Dry picking scar     -   8. Large to very large berry size     -   9. Berry sweetness is very high

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens in full color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley 1602’ in plants that are approximately 2 years old. The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘Ridley 1602’, demonstrating the plant's upright growth habit.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley 1602’.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the flowers of the new variety ‘Ridley 1602’.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of the leaves of the new variety ‘Ridley 1602’.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of the leaves, fruit, new shoot and fruit cluster of the new variety ‘Ridley 1602’.

FIG. 6 is a photograph of fruit of the variety ‘Ridley 1602’.

FIG. 7 is a photograph of fruit cross section of the variety ‘Ridley 1602’.

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the photographic and printing technology utilized. The color values cited in the detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors of the new blueberry.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Ridley 1602’. The data which defines these characteristics was collected from asexual reproductions of the original selection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are approximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. The plant history was taken on plants approximately 3 years of age, and the descriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made on fruit grown in Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Color designations are from Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia.

Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 edition.

-   Classification:     -   -   a. Family.—Ericaceae.         -   b. Genus.—Vaccinium.         -   c. Species.—Corymbosum.         -   d. Common name.—Southern Highbush Blueberry. -   Parentage: Female Parent — ‘Ridley 1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.     25,432). Male Parent — ‘Ridley 4609’. -   Market class: A fruiting plant intended for use as fresh fruit for     shipping, hand pick, customer pick, machine harvest and processing     markets and as a home garden plant.

PLANT

-   General:     -   -   a. Parentage.—Female Parent — ‘Ridley 1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat.             No. 25,432).         -   b. Male parent.—‘Ridley 4609’.         -   c. Plant height.—1.7 m.         -   d. Plant width.—1.5 m.         -   e. Growth habit.—Upright to semi-upright.         -   f. Growth.—Strong to very strong vigor.         -   g. Productivity.—6 to 7 kg per season from 3-4 year old             plants planted at 3.0 m×0.9 m density.         -   h. Cold hardiness.—Has not been grown in all environments             including harsh winter environments.         -   i. Cold tolerance.—Cold tolerance is expected to be low.         -   j. Chilling requirement.—Has not been grown in all             environments and is typically grown as an evergreen crop             where chilling hours are not important. ‘Ridley 1602’ is             classed as ‘low chill’, typical of Southern Highbush             Blueberry varieties with an estimated chilling requirement             of 250 hours (not tested).         -   k. Tolerance to disease.—Moderate resistance to root disease             (Phytophthora spp) and good resistance to blueberry rust.         -   l. Leafing.—Vegetative bud burst is very early when grown as             an evergreen in Australia.         -   m. Twigginess.—Low.

STEM

-   General:     -   -   a. Suckering tendency.—Plants typically have 5-7 major canes             per plant from a base 30 cm in diameter on 6 year old             plants.         -   b. Mature cane color.—Color greyed orange 198C.         -   c. Mature cane length.—0.8-1.0 m.         -   d. Mature cane width.—1.2 cm.         -   e. Bark texture.—Medium roughness (typical of species).         -   f. Surface texture of new wood.—Smooth.         -   g. Internode length on strong, new shoots.—20-30 mm.         -   h. Fruiting wood.—To 15 cm in length.

FOLIAGE

-   General:     -   -   a. Time of beginning of leaf bud burst.—Very early.         -   b. Leaf color (top side).—Yellow green 147A.         -   c. Leaf color (under side).—Yellow green 147C.         -   d. Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.         -   e. Leaf shape.—Elliptic.         -   f. Leaf margins.—Entire.         -   g. Undulation of margin.—Weak.         -   h. Leaf venation.—Reticulate.         -   i. Leaf apices.—Acuminate.         -   j. Leaf bases.—Obtuse.         -   k. Leaf length.—60-65 mm.         -   l. Leaf width.—33-40 mm.         -   m. Leaf length/width ratio.—Medium.         -   n. Leaf nectaries.—Absent.         -   o. Pubescence of upper side.—Absent.         -   p. Pubescence of lower side.—Absent.         -   q. Cross sectional profile.—Flat.         -   r. Longitudinal profile.—Straight.         -   s. Attitude.—Semi-upright to horizontal. -   Petioles:     -   -   a. Length.—1.0 to 3.0 mm.         -   b. Width.—2.0 mm.         -   c. Color.—Yellow green 146C-147C.

FLOWERS

-   General:     -   -   a. Time of beginning of flowering.—Very early to early (late             March-early May to at Lindendale, NSW Australia).         -   b. Time of 50% anthesis.—Early July at Lindendale, NSW             Australia.         -   c. Flower shape.—Urceolate.         -   d. Flower bud density.—Medium density.         -   e. Flower fragrance.—Weak. -   Corolla:     -   -   a. Color.—White NN155D.         -   b. Length.—9-12 mm.         -   c. Width.—7-9 mm.         -   d. Aperture width.—3-5 mm.         -   e. Anthocyanin coloration of corolla.—Absent, occasional in             bud stage.         -   f. Corolla ridges.—Present.         -   g. Protrusion of stigma.—Usually absent. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   a. Length.—40 to 70 mm.         -   b. Diameter.—20-30 mm.         -   c. Length of peduncle.—15 mm.         -   d. Surface texture of peduncle.—Smooth.         -   e. Color of peduncle.—146C.         -   f. Length of pedicel.—7-10 mm.         -   g. Surface texture of pedicel.—Smooth.         -   h. Color of pedicel.—147C.         -   i. Number of flowers per cluster.—9-12.         -   j. Flower cluster density.—Medium. -   Calyx (with sepals):     -   -   a. Diameter.—9-11 mm.         -   b. Color (sepals).—Green 138C to yellow green 147C. -   Stamen:     -   -   a. Length.—4-5 mm.         -   b. Number per flower.—Approximately 10.         -   c. Filament color.—Yellow green 144D. -   Pistil:     -   -   a. Length.—10-13 mm.         -   b. Style.—Length — 5-6 mm.         -   c. Ovary color (exterior).—Yellow green 144D-147C. -   Anther:     -   -   a. Length.—3.0-3.5 mm.         -   b. Number.—Approximately 10.         -   c. Color.—Grayed orange 167C-D. -   Pollen:     -   -   a. Abundance.—Medium.         -   b. Color.—Grayed orange 167C-D.         -   c. Self-compatibility.—60% fruit set with own pollen in             tests at Lindendale, NSW Australia.

FRUIT

-   General:     -   -   a. Time of fruit ripening.—Very early to early (early June             to mid August at Tabulam, NSW Australia).         -   b. Time of 50% maturity.—Early August.         -   c. Fruit development period.—65 days.         -   d. Cluster density.—Medium, 7-10 berries per cluster.         -   e. Unripe fruit color.—Green 138A.         -   f. Ripe berry color.—Black 202A without bloom.         -   g. Berry surface wax abundance.—Strong.         -   h. Berry flesh color.—Greyed green 194C, lightening to 194D,             then 193D.         -   i. Berry weight.—4.4-4.8 g.         -   j. Berry height from calyx to scar.—18-20 mm.         -   k. Berry diameter.—24 mm.         -   l. Berry shape.—Oblate.         -   m. Fruit stem scar.—Small (dry).         -   n. Sweetness when ripe.—High to very high.         -   o. Firmness when ripe.—Very firm.         -   p. Acidity when ripe.—Medium to high.         -   q. Storage quality.—Good, lasted 10 weeks at 2 degrees             Celsius in tests. Not tested with modified atmosphere             storage yet.         -   r. Suitability for mechanical harvesting.—Very firm fruit             firmness, strong blush and fruit shape suited to mechanical             harvesting. Shake requirement and season compactness not yet             tested.         -   s. Self-fruitfulness.—60% fruit set with own pollen in tests             at Lindendale, NSW Australia.         -   t. Uses.—Fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and             processing markets and as a home garden plant.

SEED

-   General:     -   -   Seed abundance in fruit.—Abundant.         -   Seed color.—Greyed orange 164A.         -   Seed dry weight.—Not yet recorded.         -   Seed length.—1.5-2.0 mm.

COMPARISON BETWEEN COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

TABLE 1 Ridley 4514 (U.S. Plant Ridley Pat. No. 1105 (not Organ Context Ridley 1602 27,163P3) patented) Plant vigour strong to strong to very strong very strong strong Plant growth habit upright to upright upright semi-upright One-year- colour green green green old shoot One-year- length of medium medium medium old shoot internode Leaf length long medium to long to very long long Leaf width broad broad very broad Leaf shape elliptic elliptic elliptic Leaf colour of green green green upper side Leaf intensity of medium medium medium green colour on upper side (varieties with green leaf colour only) Leaf margin entire entire entire Flower anthocyanin weak weak weak bud coloration Flower shape of urceolate urceolate urceolate corolla Flower size of corolla medium medium medium tube Flower anthocyanin absent or absent or very absent or colouration of very weak weak very weak corolla tube Flower ridges on present present present corolla tube Fruit density medium medium medium cluster Unripe intensity of light light light fruit green colour Fruit size large to very large to very large large large Fruit shape in oblate oblate oblate longi- tudinal section Fruit attitude of erect erect erect sepals Fruit diameter of large to very medium to medium to calyx basin large large large Fruit depth of calyx deep deep medium basin Fruit intensity of strong strong strong bloom Fruit colour of skin dark blue dark blue dark blue Fruit Firmness very firm firm firm to very firm Fruit Sweetness high to very medium to high high high Fruit Acidity medium to weak medium to high high Time of vegetative very early late very early bud burst Time of beginning of very early to very early very early flowering early Time of beginning of very early to early very early fruit ripening early 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘Ridley 1602’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 